Senate Votes to Vacate Mitterling Appointment to NRC

lschultz • February 13, 2020

Mitterling’s seat sits unfilled after she received notice, during the commission meeting Thursday, that the Senate voted to disapprove her appointment.

Partisan politicking won Thursday when a Natural Resources Commission (NRC) appointment was blocked by the Republican-controlled Michigan Senate.

In a mostly party-line vote, Senate Republicans were able to vacate the appointment of Anna Mitterling, an independent, from the NRC. Sen. Bumstead (R-Newaygo) was the only GOP member to vote against removing Mitterling.

Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) Executive Director Amy Trotter expressed disappointment in the Senate, noting that “appointments to the NRC are not political footballs,” and appointees “should be judged on their character and qualifications to serve, not treated as ‘pawns’ in a game of political vengeance.”

“Conservation and a commitment to science in the management of Michigan’s wildlife should be placed above partisanship,” Trotter said. “Hunters and anglers suffer when politicians decide, for reasons completely unrelated to our natural resources, that caucus fealty is more important than the resource.”

Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey (R-Clark Lake) said Mitterling was rejected because of concerns over “her ability to understand the immensity of the commission and the very important need to provide guidance,” according to MLive . “She looked like she just came across as being a little bit not willing to make tough decisions, quite frankly,” he said.

Sen. Curtis Hertel Jr. (D- East Lansing) said in his testimony on the Senate floor that the removal of Mitterling is certainly tied to the appointment of former Grand Rapids mayor George Heartwell, who made anti-gun statements during his tenure as mayor. Sen. Shirkey did not deny the accusation.

“I am disgusted by the Senate’s action, today,” Sen. Hertel said. “The Senate’s constitutional responsibility through the advice and consent process is meant to discern whether someone is qualified to serve. As a scientist, hunter, mentor and active member of her community, Anna Mitterling is, in fact, overqualified for this position. Instead of confirming this excellent candidate, Republicans chose to play political games, and she suffered because of it.”  

Sen. Bumstead, the lone defector from the GOP on the vote, said Mitterling was more than qualified for the NRC appointment.

“After reviewing the information provided by the Senate Advice and Consent Committee regarding Anna Mitterling, I was convinced that she not only met but exceeded the qualifications for someone to serve on the Michigan Natural Resources Commission,” Bumstead said. “That’s why I voted against rejecting her nomination. I appreciate her experience and qualifications and am sorry that she will not be able to serve Michigan on the NRC.”

Mitterling was appointed to the commission Dec. 18, 2019 by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. She is a biology professor at Lansing Community College and a former wildlife coordinator with the Michigan United Conservation Clubs. She holds a Master of Science in fisheries and wildlife degree from Michigan State University. Her master’s thesis detailed the intersection between private-land cooperatives and wildlife.

Mitterling is an avid deer hunter, shed hunter and spends countless days each year recreating outdoors with her family. She has spent numerous hours in the MSU disease lab testing deer for chronic wasting disease (CWD) and bovine tuberculosis. She has completed browse surveys to assist in deer management all over the state. 

Mitterling testified in front of the Senate Advice and Consent Committee defending her appointment on Jan. 30. Senator questions ranged from payment in lieu of taxes issues to the use of drones to enforce wildlife violations – neither of which fall under the purview of the NRC.

Recent Posts

By Justin Tomei October 9, 2025
The Natural Resources Commission met today, Thursday, October 9th for their October meeting. The commission reaffirmed its intent to allow for lethal year-round coyote management on public and private land via a unanimously passed resolution before passing fisheries orders, and tabling more for consideration in November. The commission passed Fisheries Orders 210.26 , and 254.25 before tabling 206.26, 219.26 , and 253.26 . Commissioner John Walters provided an amendment to the fisheries order to expand underwater spearfishing opportunities to most of the Great Lakes, allowing for some spatial closures for the protection of particularly sensitive areas. The commission took steps to make good on their promise to allow year-round coyote management, unanimously passing a resolution more clearly stating their intent and what the pending wildlife conservation order will look like. The next meeting is Thursday November 6 in Lansing.
By Justin Tomei October 7, 2025
The Michigan Natural Resources Commission (NRC) will convene for its October meeting on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at Michigan Technological University’s Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts in Houghton, MI. This monthly gathering brings together commissioners, Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) staff, and the public to discuss policy decisions and updates impacting the state’s natural resources, wildlife, and outdoor recreation opportunities. The meeting will begin with Coffee with Commissioners from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., followed by the formal session at 9:30 a.m. Attendees can park for free in Lot 10, located east of the Rozsa Center. The meeting will open with a presentation from DNR leadership, including several notable updates and informational reports: Spring Turkey Regulations: Wildlife Division staff will present proposed changes to spring turkey hunting regulations for 2026. Wildlife Habitat Grants : Program leads will outline new habitat grant initiatives and highlight ongoing restoration efforts across the state. Moose Population Monitoring: A presentation will cover results from the most recent moose survey and discuss ecological and environmental factors limiting population growth. White-Nose Syndrome: The Wildlife Division will provide the latest data on the spread and impact of white-nose syndrome on Michigan’s bat populations. New Business The commission will consider a range of new proposals and action items, including: Oil and Gas Lease Auction: Approval for a proposed October 21, 2025, lease auction for energy development on state-managed lands. Land Transactions: Consideration of multiple land sales, acquisitions, and donations, including parcels in Tuscola, Wayne, St. Clair, and Luce counties. Wildlife Orders: Review of spring turkey regulations for the 2026 hunting season . Old Business The NRC will also revisit several regulatory items from previous meetings, including proposed amendments to a number of Fisheries Orders. This includes an amendment further expanding underwater spearfishing to larger portions of the Great Lakes. All orders and amendments for consideration can be found at the NRC agenda, HERE .
By Justin Tomei October 3, 2025
Early Friday, morning, the Michigan Legislature approved a budget for the 2026 fiscal year. The two chambers and the governor agreed to a deal earlier this week and passed a stopgap to keep the state government open while work on the omnibus bill was finalized. The DNR budget is highlighted by some minor cuts, and new boilerplate language: No license fee increases were included No recreation passport opt-out was included Nature awaits program was removed as an on-going program Reduces 4.0 FTE positions for Fish Production and 15.0 FTE positions for Fisheries Resource Management Reduces 20.0 FTE positions and $200,000 for Wildlife Management Reduces invasive species prevention and control by $1.2 million Appropriates $2.8 million GF/GP (one-time) for fish production and stocking in Great Lakes and inland fisheries Reduces wetland restoration, enhancement, and acquisition funding by $1 million. In-person work prioritization New DNR scorecard and reporting requirements Prohibition on utility scale solar and wind projects on public lands An authorization to increase restricted fund appropriations if a license fee bill is passed The House Fiscal Analysis of the budget can be found HERE . To ensure our natural resources remain protected and managed thoughtfully, and our outdoor heritage defended, join Michigan United Conservation Clubs today: http://bit.ly/JoinMUCC .
More Posts